cnn's state of the union coverage continues right now. ♪ crisis of ice. the deep south frozen. 50 million people just going nowhere. waking up to snow and ice-covered roads. major cities at a complete standstill this morning. thousands of drivers stranded on the roads. children stuck at schools unable to get home. this is a mess. we are live with the absolute chaos the storm is causing and what's coming next. the key moments you missed from the state of the union. confrontation and emotion. this morning, we are live with how the president plans to get around this congress. and talk about what you missed, the real drama happening after the speech, a congressman

threatening to break a reporter in two, throw him off a balcony. this bizarre confrontation, it really happened, faux and it was all caught on camera. >> not just throw off a balcony, throw off a -- huh huh -- balcony. >> twice as bad. >> welcome to "early start." >> i'm christine romans. >> and i'm john berman. we begin with this breaking news from the south. snow and ice just paralyzing the region from alabama to the carolinas. the road so dangerous and icy, it's been near impossible to get around. >> the worst hit is georgia where many people spent all night, folks, all night, stranded in their cars around atlanta. in fact, many people are sitting there right now including at least 50 students stuck on school bus us. there were nearly 1,000 accidents reported in the

atlanta area alone. >> in marietta, georgia hundreds of students and staffers are waking up inside their schools this morning after spending the night because the roads were too dangerous to get them home. reports of extraordinary measures to keep the children safe. >> they've been well fed. we've had basketall games. they're about to watch a movie in the auditorium until about 11:00. girls will be sleeping in the band room. boys will be sleeping in the media center. parents don't have to risk too much getting here to get them. it's well supervised. a good facility. it's warm. it could be far worse. >> thank goodness for america's educators who can fix that situation. jason evans is now in hour ten of his commute home. jason, where are you at this hour? >> reporter: well, christine, i'm in the middle of what's normally a 30-minute commute home. i still probably have about seven to eight miles to go.

and, yeah, as you said, i'm in hour ten. it's a very dangerous situation out here on the roadways in atlanta. very frustrating, basically people are just driving where they want. i mean, there's no semblance of getting into lanes or anything along those lines. and more than once, i've had to try and navigate around the car in front of me where the driver has just given up and just taken a nap. >>wow. what are you doing now -- obviously, you're talking to us right now. butter they moving? have people just stopped and they're waiting to continue when it's daylight? >> it's very stop and go right now, christine. here and there, you'll see emergency crews trying to get traffic moving. on a couple of occasions, you know, i've heard police trying to address people. keep them out of the hov lanes. so crews can get in there. but basically, i'm in the

world's largest ice skating rink. i mean, a nightmare doesn't begin to describe it. >> just to recap, jason, you've been on the road for ten hours trying to get home on a drive that normally takes you 30 minutes like you said, driving on an ice rink. this storm, it was in the forecast. people knew it was coming. i suppose you've been talking to people on the roads as you've been stuck trying to get home. do you get the sense from everyone around you, including yourself, that people have been prepared for what's been going on all night? >> reporter: no, not really. like i said, i've had a degree of, quote/unquote, downtime to talk to my fellow travelers on the road. and everyone just seemed shell-shocked. i talked to a gentleman who had just woken up from a nap, and he had his young son in the backseat. he told me, you know, he was from here. and he'd never seen anything like this. but to be honest, he was just

thankful that he had his son with him. we're hearing the stories about children that have been trapped at the schools or still on school buses. so, no, i'm not really under the impression that people feel like they were completely prepared for this. i think, you know, before i left for my massive commute home that was thought there was going to be like a dusting of snow. i don't think anybody saw this coming. >> oh, jason evans, we wish you well. be careful. i'm sure there are people sliding around. i'm sure people are in a ditch. thousands of accidents overnight. jason evans, let us know when you make it. >> staggering, ten hours. >> when you think of the cars jammed on there. everyone left at the same time. everybody said at noon and 4:00, there were two big rushes of people trying to get out. and it just choked all the roads. >> that's crazy. isn't virginia, a state of

emergency has been declared in norfolk, chesapeake, newport beach, prepared to be socked with up to a foot of snow in virginia. >> north carolina also hit hard. snow made the roads awfully sick and led to dozens of accidents including this one. this is an suv crashing into a light rail train. >> this is a school bus that flipped over in ashe sil. yeah, we're still talking about the carolinas, boys and girls. the driver lost control after trying to get six students home after an early dismissal. one of those suffered a broken ankle. >> real scary. the whole bus tipped over. i was sitting in the seat on the other side and just flew us to the other side. >> talking about this going on overnight and affecting millions of people. icy roads causing trouble in tennessee as well. some buses could not make it to school to pick up the kids.

others got stuck on the roads and that left the students there stranded. just look at the pictures. >> the arctic blast left driving treacherous in mississippi, where january temperatures, in mississippi it's not normally in the 50s this time of year. snow-covered highways sent this car like in jackson skidding off the road. >> we'll be showing you the road, but obviously, air flights canceled in atlanta. which is of course the world's busiest airport. the impact could resonate for days. the domino effect across the country, if you're trying to fly anywhere from anywhere, call your airline and make sure. indra petersons has been tracking the storm. you've been telling us this was coming. it was the forecast. >> i think it's just hard for people to fathom. they've lived in the south. just several issues. look at what these cities saw. atlanta saw about two inches, you get down to charlotte, only about an inch of snow.

that's all it takes in a place that you're not typically used to dealing with these types of conditions. and there was a lot of ice before it transitioned to snow. only a half of inch is what it takes to take down power lines. unfortunately in outskirts of south carolina, five or even six inches of snow. so that's a concern. you can see, we're still dealing with this situation at this hour. all of that trouble, they're still dealing with it and slowly making its way offshore. it looks by the next hours, things should improve. reaching up in the northeast, very mild for us, we're used to snow. but again still another five inches possible out towards virginia beach. and it's not the only story. they're dealing with the cold temperatures not just in the midwest or northeast. look at that teens as far south as atlanta. you add in the windchill, they're dealing with single-digit temperatures. throughout the day, they're still going to have concerns with the slick roads. keep in mind, it will still warm

up in the next several days. you have that certain things can melt and then refreeze overnight. again, if you're not used to slick roadways that's the big concern for them. yes, it warms up tomorrow but you've still got fore24 hours to deal with that. >> to get home from work. thanks. the other big story this morning, washington is bracing for the beginning what president obama is calling his year of action. the president laid the groundwork in the state of the union address. a speech filled with calls for some bipartisan change. but also promises that if congress does not act, the president will. senior white house correspondent brianna keilar is live for us in washington this morning, good morning, brianna. >> good morning to you, john. the fact is president obama needs congress if he's going to have any big legislative achievements like immigration. and he talked about that but he also announced executive actions on things like education, energy jobs and technology. >> america does not stand still

and neither will i. so wherever and whenever i can take steps, without legislation to expand opportunity for more american families, that's what i'm going to do. in the coming weeks i will issue an executive order requiring per contractors to pay their federallyunded employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an hour. >> so he's announcing here this increased minimum wage for employees, new federal contracts. we're talks, tops, 1 million americans, probably less. so it's pretty modest. but part of the reason he was doing this was to put pressure on congress to a. do an increase in the minimum wage for everyone. and also, john, he'll be visiting a costco today in maryland. part of this was trying to put pressure on companies to go ahead and take it upon themselves to increase the minimum wage. he'll be highlighting that going on at costco today, using it as an example. >> the speech wasn't chockful of

policy proposals. you highlighted some of the few in it. the republican response, not chock-full of response either. but more theme attic from cathy mcmorris rodgers. what did she have to say? >> yeah, and it sort of struck me that the themes were sort of the same. you heard them reachinging out to to middle income americans. and also something that i thought that stood out from the official republican rebuttal from cathy mcmorris rodgers this year was that it was a warmer appeal to american families. she was sit on a couch. a lot of times you'll have the republican rebutting standing there. it almost created more of a living vibe in a way. but there was something in there, while president obama said in his state of the union, basically, i don't want to be dealing with your attempts to repeal obamaca anymore. he said there have been plenty of attempts at that. this mess such which is going to play large is something that

cathy mcmorris rodgers certainly addressed. >> no, we shouldn't go back to the things -- to the wayhings were. but this law is not working. republicans believe health care choices should be yours, not the government's. >> so it wasn't exactly rancor, john. but they really didn't agree on the way they want to move forward. but, you know, it is so early. i don't want to leave you sort of on there being any, i guess, partisanship here. i want to tell you a little bit about the final moment of the president's speech which was emotional and bipartisan. when he pointed to army ranger cory remsburg who was wounded in afghanistan by a roadside bomb on his tenth deployment there in afghanistan. and he honored him for his resilience, for his service. and this is what brought all democrats and all republicans, everyone there in the house chamber to their feet. it was really a very beautiful moment.

>> it really was, brianna, i thought you could feel the sense of awe and wonderment. the fred, the first lady, everyone stared up at this young man. almost we're not worthy to be with new the room. the sacrifices you have made are so many greater than any of us could imagine. briana keerl, great to have you with us this more than. you've worked about 20 hours out of the last 25. the state of the union wasn't the main event in boxing terms that might have come after thanks to a congressman from new york. michael grimm from staten island was talking to a reporter from new york 1 news channel when the reporter michael scotto asked grimm about an ongoing campaign allegation. you can see grimm walked off mad. and what happened moments later, it was just wow.

>> you see what happened here. >> why, why? >> no -- >> so, yeah, i'll break you in half like a boy. i'm not totally understand the meaning of that but i did fully understand it when he said i'll throw you off the blanking balcony. congressman grimm said he was annoyed that the reporter asked him about an investigation when he had only agreed to talk about the state of the union-the congressman said he's sure he won't be the last member of congress to tell off a reporter. >> a lot of things are revealed here. sometimes, members of congress get angry when they decide what it is they're going to be asked.

we as reporters ask the top stories. and his campaign investigation is front and center, of course. but that kind of reaction is rare to get on camera. it's a reaction sometimes reporters get in private, but to get it on camera is really -- >> i'm going to break this news in two like a boy. >> and throw it off the balcony. breaking news overnight. the supreme court stopping an execution in the 11th hour. why the high court decided to get involved overnight. and we continue to follow this dangerous winter storm that brought the south to a standstill. students stuck on their school bus for hours. parents walking, walking miles to go get them and bring their children home. a dramatic reunion next. ve got , but my sinuses are acting up. it's time for advil cold and sinus. [ male announcer ] truth is that won't relieve all your symptoms. new alka seltzer plus-d relieves more symptoms than any other behind the counter liquid gel. oh what a relief it is. is that true?

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we're following the breaking news this morning from the south, where ice and snow continue to just cause ridiculous chaos from alabama to the carolinas. atlanta really hit the worst by this. the roads there, just a sheet of ice. it's like driving on a hockey rink, we've been told. many spent the night in their cars for hours and hours, still there in some cases, unable to move. including 50 students on buses like these. these images taken around 3:00 this morning. these buses left the school more than 12 hours earlier. others were lucky. more lucky, finally getting home for a late-night reunion with grateful parents. >> i was so scared.

i was like if i don't get home tonight, i'm going to freak out. let my mom know where i am and my dad. it was crazy. >> i was scared i wouldn't see my mom. >> we are so happy and we're so grateful to the bus driver. and we're happy they're home. >> how grateful we are for bus drivers, for teachers, for principals. making sure the kids are safe and happy. >> and i think the cuteness can't transcend any other situation. holy cow. stay with us for the latest on this dangerous ice and snowstorm. this is still going on, folks. we'll keep updating you throughout the morning. on today's "road warriors" how do you get upgraded to a premium seat on your next flight? when you buy your ticket look for the y or "b" cooking code. those are more expensive. those could make you eligible for a complementary upgrade. and the gate agent may give you a better seat with a hefty voucher for future travel. be sure you ask and drive a hard

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media. andy scholes is here to break that down. >> good morning, guys. this is the only day of the year where fans pay to watch the media do their thing. usually he told this media event at a stadium, but this year, they're crammed inside the prudential center. up never know what you're going to get super bowl media day. supergold medalist, gabby douglas, check this out, doing her thing. a cartwheel there. there were cheerleaders, people some costumes, tons and tons of media. the biggest mum of the day award went to peyton manning. he answered questions for about an hour, including one that he's been hearing for years. >> i've been being asked about my legacy since i was 25 years old which i'm not sure you can have a legacy when you're 25 years old or even 37. i think it's like 70. this is an exciting chapter. i'm certainly excited to be in the super bowl on baffle of the

denver broncos. >> most players enjoy the glitch and glamour of media day. not running back marshawn lynch. he hid in a corner, only speaking with the media for about six minutes of the allotted hour. nfl's deion sanders is trying to figure out why lynch didn't want to participate? >> you kind of shy? >> no. >> you just don't want to talk? >> i'm just about that action, boss. >> you'd rather go get it? >> no. that's what it is. i ain't never seen no talk. >> that's awesome. >> just about that action, boss. the line of the day. on bleacherreport.com, what do you do when you live in seattle, your last name is mann and you just had a baby. up give the baby the name 12. ed me sydney lee 12th mann.

she should go to texas a&m. i'm sure the parents will have one loud fan. >> all right. stay with us. we're going to have the very latest on the ice storm that's left much of the south paralyzed. that's right after the break. [ male announcer ] the new new york is open.

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♪ breaking overnight, the vouthing an ice crisis. cities brought tie standstill. shut down this morning, thousands of drivers at this very moment are still stranded on the roads. students still trapped at their

schools, unable to safely get home. indra peterson's track of the storm damage and what's coming next. the moments you missed from the state of the union. and the surprising reaction this morning is end-run around congress a good idea? we are live with what voters thought about this speech. from the state of the union to the state of unbelievable. a congressman threatening to break a reporter in two, threatening throw throw him off the balcony. a bizarre confrontation all caught on camera. >> as you like to say, not just throw you off the balcony, throw you off the blanking balcony. welcome back to "early start," everyone. i'm john berman. >> i'm christine romans. it's 31 minutes past the hour. we're following breaking news where ice and snow have paralyzed the region from the carolinas. you've got wrecks every, tens of thousands of people stranded.

>> georgia hit the worst by this. this morning, the roads in and around atlanta just littered with cars and trucks. some of them just abandoned. some of them full of people. some people are sleeping in their cars in the middle of the road. the roads are so icy, it's like driving in a hockey rink. thousands had to sit all night. they couldn't get enough traction to move. there have been more than 1,000 accidents reported in the atlanta area alone. at least seven students are still on school buss there trying to get home. >> there are clogged roads. the interstates in particular, but even side roads that cars leading to interstates have stranded vehicles. and people who are still trying to get their vehicles moving. >> this morning, students in marietta, georgia are making up inside their school. they spent the night in their school after the district decided it was just too dangerous to sentence the children home. a school throughout the region having to take extra measures

here to keep their kids safe. >> they've been well fed. we've had basketball games. they're about to watch a movie in the auditorium until about 11:00. then girls will be sleeping in the band room. boys will be sleeping in the media center. at least parents don't need to risk too much getting here to get them. they're well supervised. it's a good facility. it's warm. there's lots for them to do. it could be far worse. >> principal of the year there. heavy snow in virginia, parts of that state facing up to a foot of snow. a state of emergency has been declared in norfolk, chess sa speak, newport news and virginia beach. >> snow the problem as well in north carolina. we'll show you the scene in charlotte. the roads there very slick. dozens of accidents. this san accident with an suv crashing into a light rail train. a school bus, take a look at this, flipping over on snowy roads near asheville, north carolina, the driver apparently losing control after trying get six students home after an early

dismissal. bun of those on board did suffer a broken ankle. >> really scary, i mean, because the whole bus tipped over. i was sitting in the seat on the other side and just kind of flew to the other side. >> there's not a lot of snow down there. it's icy roads. this is the problem, it's a little bit of ice wrecking everything. early school dismissals causing problems in tennessee. some buses couldn't make it to the schools to pick the kids up. others got stuck on slick roads and that meant students were stranded. >> we're talking about ice, a huge, huge area, mississippi as well. while the temperatures there normally this time of year are in the 50s. but the ice-covered highways sent cars like this one in jackson just skidding off the road. air travel is still a big necessary in the south because of the storm. hundreds of flights have been canceled today. that's on top of thousands grounded ahead of the storm as a precaution. most in atlanta. the ripple effect could resonate for days across the country. if you are trying to fly

anywhere today, be sure to call your airline. a reminder to get those text alerts so you can know when it's finally safe to go to the airport. >> want to know when the roads are going to be safe. indra is watching the weather for us. is the sun going to come out and melt any of this ice? >> it's going to get there, but it's going to be tomorrow. then the concern of refreezing as well. the roads are congested quickly. we're not talking heavy amounts. all it took around the atlanta area is just about two inches. in the outskirts are there were places that saw about three inches in georgia. again, they're not used to this kind of weather in that region. and the icing concerns because that's part of it as well. there's a lot of ice on the roads and some of that ice is covered by snow. in south carolina, north carolina half an inch of ice, that's enough to take the power out so that's also a concern as the condition is still going on. let's talk about what happened. a lot of people are confused.

it's the same home of high pressure from canada, that cold air went all the way to the south and intersected with the moisture off the gulf. that's the reason they're able to get the showers all along the gulf and they're still dealing with that. it's the same system in the northeast, we're talking about a dusting. a dusting that doesn't affect us too much because we're used to it. same problem in the south, you get that ice first, a little warmer than the snow, suddenly that combination makes it a horrific situation. unfortunately, it's not overnight. virginia beach, another five inches of snow. we're still dealing with it, but the good news, it's clearing out over the next several hours. conditions will improve. it will still be cold, going to feel like single digits especial with the windchill. it melts and refreezes again tonight. it's another round people may not be thinking about. they think the storm is gone but you still have icy conditions in the forecast. >> thanks. this morning, washington

waking up with a fresh layer of snow as well but also fresh promises from president obama that he will do whatever he has to, whatever he can to get things done this year. in a state of the union address, the president insisted that congress needs to work with him, to raise the minimum wage, reduce income inequality and reform the immigration system. he says if congress doesn't work with him, he will do whatever he can to do whatever he can get done himself. paul live this morning, you have the results of the cnn instant poll about what people who watched the speech thought of it? >> exactly. we polled people after they were watching and after the speech what they thought about that speech. take a look at some of the results. they are interesting, john and christine. 44% said they had a very positive reaction to the speech but look, that's down from a year ago, 53% who watched the state of the union address where they had a very positive reaction. as you folks just mentioned the president taking he would take

executive action to get things done. do americans think that's a good idea? fascinating, two-thirds of those we polled said it's better to do things that are bipartisan compromise to get major issues done. only 3 in 10, only 3 in 10 say unilateral changes are the way to go. that is probably not a great number for the president. and finally, will a lot of what the president proposed last night become law actually get done. well, americans don't seem that optimistic. speech watchers we spoke to only 8% said it's very likely what he proposed will become law. 45% say somewhat likely. almost half say not likely, again, john and christine this, is a poll of speech watcher, not all americans. since we have a democrat in the white house, you would expect that we found, yes, that poll is slightly more democratic than the normal. >> paul, for the early birds waking up who did not see that speech, about an hour of the president his fifth address to the nation, what were the

highlights, your highlights, the most important moments you saw? >> this is interesting i thought this was a contrast. at one point in speech he was giving an olive branch to congress saying let's work together but at the same time talk about bypassing congress. here's a little taste what he said. >> and i believe that here in america, our success should depend not only accident or burden, but the strength of our work ethic and the scope of our dreams. that's how daughter of the factory worker is ceo of the america's largest automaker. how the son of a bar skeerpt speaker of the house. [ applause ] >> the only thumbs up from boen earp you'll see all year. >> whenever i can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more american families, that's what i'm going to do. in the coming weeks i will issue an executive it order requiring federal contractors to pay their federally funded employees a fair wage of at least $10.10 an

hour. >> one of the few thumbs up from the speaker. yeah, there he is giving an olive branch to the top republican in the house. but at the same time saying, guys, i will bypass you to get things done. two quick points. you heard him emphasize, emigration, let's get it done but on gun control, one of the other big thing he is mentioned last year, bear a mention. one paragraph. also on health care, he talked about it. republicans basically saying put up or basically shut up. >> didn't mention the website, paul? >> no. >> paul steinhauser in washington, great to have you with us. >> and lie looked into the retirement accounts he was talking about, retirement accounts for americans taking control of their own retirement. in an economy where you don't need to trust a company for your health insurance. that's interesting, too. >> people want to learn a lot more about that. all right. this morning if you missed this, wow, you have to see this. there is a congressman trying to

explain himself this morning after an angry threat of physical violence, folks, to a reporter. michael grimm was talking to a reporter from new york 1. that's an all-news cable channel about the state of the union. when the reporter, michael scotto, asked the congressman about an ongoing campaign investigation. grimm got mad and walked off but folks, he came back and what happened then, just wow. >> why -- >> i want to be clear if you ever do that again to me -- >> why? why? i wanted to ask you -- >> why? why? >> i'm telling you -- no -- i'll break you in half -- >> to recap there, he said i will break you in half like a boy, whatever that means. he also said he would throw the reporter off the blanching balcony. the congressman in a statement

said he was annoyed that the reporter asked him about the investigation when he had only agreed to talk about the state of the union. he said he's sure he will not be the last member of congress to tell off a reporter. >> i read his remarks very clearly. not an apology. he was squarely saying i was not there to talk about my own investigation. only to talk about the president's speech. 'had was angry he was asked another question. you could argue that the reporter was man enough to ask the question. >> one thing telling off a reporter, we've all been told off, it's not always that we're threatened with physical violence including being told we're going to be broken in two. >> that only happens at a break. >> exactly. stocks higher across the board in europe 15 and asia. early indications that the buying is going to roll across shores. today, turkey's central bank aggressively hiked its interest rate to calm the jitters about overseas markets that caused a worldwide selloff earlier this week. the federal reserve continues

its final meeting under fed chair ben bernanke. that's today. it's widely signalled that the u.s. will signal that the bank is doing better. that's it's been injecting into the economy each month. that's what we're watching today. higher open for stock. >> there's a lot going on. we continue to follow the breaking news, this rare winter storm causing chaos in the south. chaos still very much going on right now. the roads a mess. people stuck there for hours and hours. we'll be live with a driver who's been stuck on the road for more than ten hours. ten hours, and he's still not home. we'll speak to him just ahead. how is everything?. there's nothing like being your own boss! and my customers are really liking your flat rate shipping. fedex one rate. really makes my life easier. maybe a promotion is in order. good news. i got a new title. and a raise?

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we're on the breaking news this morning from the south. going nowhere there. thousands of stranded after ice and snow just covered the region. the worst-hit area, atlanta. many had to spend the night in their cars. many are waking up in their cars

right now. 50 students stuck on buses like this one. these images taken around 3:00 a.m. ere are kids on buses at 3:00 a.m. buses left school more than 12 hours before this. we're told a few students, at least seven are still stuck on buses right now. cnn's jason evans shot the pictures out there. he's been among the people stuck on roads all night. he's approaching hour 11 trying to get home. it's a trip that normally take its half an hour. jason give us a sense of what the scene is right now. >> you know, john, going nowhere. basically the key phrase here. i really have not made much progress since the last time we spoke. once again, i still have 13 more miles to go in a trip like you said normally takes 30 minutes. looking around, i see a lot of tired faces. it's getting very cold here. the temperatures have dipped down into the teens which is only going to make this ice situation worse. and the most frustrating part of this, i mean, it stopped snowing

hours ago. it's basically just this ice. and that there's no traction on the road. and really, i mean, i can't go a quarter mile without seeing -- without seeing an accident. no more than ten minutes ago, a large commuter bus spun around and kind of flew around, if you will, right by the side might have vehicle, which honestly, you know, was kind of scary. but right now, so far, so good. and i'm just kind of waiting it out. priority, one, two and three is just getting nome one piece. >> so far, so good. but it's taken you 11 hours and you're not even home yet. like driving on an ice honky rink you've been saying. jason evans struggling to move. and moving is just possible right now. more than 1,000 accidents and atlanta alone. >> kids sleeping in their schools in marietta, georgia. what's coming up next on "new day"?

>> kate bolduan right now. >> hey, guys, we're going to following what you were talking to jason about. this is scary in the chaos created by that dangerous winter storm. were you talking about children. we've got students, children trapped on buses even in schools overnight. we're going to talk live with win principal who spent the night with their students keeping them warm, safe and fete. and how they coped and what they're doing now. we're live on the ground all over the story. one of the big stories. also the other major story, chris is going to be live in nation's capital where president obama delivered his state of the union address. we're going to get reaction from republican and democratic members of congress about what some are calling a defiant speech. of course, the fallout and monday morning quarterbacking going to go officer an that. >> and after the speech there was a moment everyone is talking about. congressman michael grimm caught on tape threatening a reporter. we're going to talk live with that reporter to find out what really happened before that,

after that, and what happens now. >> yeah, what's it like to be told you'll be broken in two. all right. kate bald wynn. >> more breaks news right after the break. in 1953. rea afghanistan, in 2009. orbiting the moon in 1971. [ male announcer ] once it's earned, usaa auto insurance is often handed down from generation to generation. because it offers a superior level of protection. and because usaa's commitment to serve current and former military members and their families is without equal. begin your legacy. get an auto insurance quote. usaa. we know what it means to serve. we've always been] at the forefrontumman, of advanced electronics. providing technology to get more detail... ♪ detect hidden threats... ♪ see the whole picture... ♪ process critical information, and put it in the hands of our defenders.

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breaking overnight an 11th hour reprieve for a missouri death row inmate. the u.s. supreme court granting a temporary stay of execution for herbert smalls who was expected to die just after midnight. his appeal focused on the state's refusal to disclose the compounding pharmacy that would provide the lethal injection drug. smulls was convicted and sentenced to death for killing a jewelry store owner in a 1991 robbery. coming up -- fact-checking the president. what in the state of the union was true and what was not quite. "money time" is next.

good morning. welcome back to "early start." it's "money time." early indications for a good start on wall street. stock futures higher an yesterday's 90-point gain. president obama had a lot to say on the state of the economy last night. >> the lowest unemployment rate in over five years, a rebounding housing market. a manufacturing sector that's adding jobs for the first time since the 1990s. more oil produced at home than we buy from the rest of the world. our deficits cut by more than half. for the first time in over a decade, business leaders around

the world have declared that china is no longer the world's number one place to invest. america is. >> a lot of positive things to say about the economy. here's our fact-check. let's start with the truth. on housing and oil production, things are looking up. but when it comes unemployment, manufacturing and the deficit, we're going to call those statements mostly true. unemployment is at the lowest rate in five years but the president left out the fact that labor force participation is now under 63%. that's the lowest since 1978. that means more and more people are dropping out. manufacturing, we've seen an increase in jobs but not super solid growth. an increase, but on the margin. if it continues at this pace, the obama administration will have only one quarter of what the jobs promised for the second term. and the deficit was cut in half and that was partly because of the sequester and that is something that the president strongly opposes.

the president said america has surpassed china as the number one place to invest. that's not true, when you look at foreign-direct investment. there may be a revived interest in investing in the united states, especially manufacturing but direct foreign investment in china was $253 billion in 2012. $253 billion. here in the u.s., chaos in the south. a rare and deadly winter storm paralyzes the southern united states. hundreds of students stranded in schools and on buses overnight. >> boys will be sleeping in the media center. >> drivers abandoning cars as ice shuts down major roads. minutes long commutes still on going at this very hour. >> now i'm stuck. >> state troopers racing to the rescue. heavy snow adding to the

disaster along the east coast. we have every angle covered. >> going it alone. president obama calling for a year of action in his state of the union address threatening to bypass congress if necessary. >> america does not standstill and neither will i. >> but did his proposals go far enough for the american people. and who is the army ranger who brought the entire chamber to their feet in a rousing standing ovation. we have the story behind a hero. your "new day" starts right now. >> good morning. welcome to "new day." it's wednesday, january 29th. 6:00 in the east. i'm chris cuomo live from capitol hill where president obama delivered his fifth state of the union address last night. but the big story this morning is the actual storm, the ice storm that is dev